Daphne Wui Yarn Chan

Dr. Daphne Wui Yarn Chan is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU). She leads the Chan Group, focusing on sustainable materials through polymer design. Her work addresses global challenges in decarbonization and environmental sustainability through innovations in renewable polymers and biodegradable materials.

Education:

• Ph.D., Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (2019)
• BS, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University (2013)

Research Interests:

• Designing polymers from renewable protein feedstocks (e.g., agricultural byproducts)
• Self-assembled block polymers for ultrafiltration membranes
• Stimuli-responsive materials for soft robotics and haptic interfaces
• Recycling waste tire rubber via novel processing strategies

Awards:

• University of Minnesota’s President’s Postdoctoral Fellowship (2020)
• MIT Tata Center for Technology and Design Fellowship (2017)

Lab & Team:

• Labs: Chan Group (CMU)
• Current students: Sunny Surprenant, Andrew Ashmar, Edwin Lebron Perez (Ph.D.), Aaron Cross (M.S.), Eleanor David, Claire Su (Undergrad)

Grants & Projects:

• Leading a $5.4M DARPA-funded project on drug delivery via red blood cell engineering
• Developing protein-based alternatives to conventional plastics